Mentorship
The Ironwood Tree Experience Mentorship EcoProgram takes youth empowerment to the next level. Former Expeditionary Experience teens are designing and implementing the mentorship program from the ground up. The resulting program will ideally produce a cohort of teen mentors who are absolutely invested in the program that they create and one that reflects teen values.
Mentors provide support for ITE programs through assistance in the field, helping with community events, designing EcoProgram activities and helping train new mentors. All mentors must demonstrate a degree of skill proficiency derived from level II (Get Experience) and level III (Expeditionary Experience) programming that emphasizes community action, hiking, camping and backpacking, ecology, naturalist studies, primitive skills, journaling, kayaking, rock climbing, orienteering and presentation skills.
Mentors work closely with ITE staff and other mentors gaining additional experience through hands-on training that hones communication, leadership, safety and outdoor skills. Mentors that assist with the Epic and Global Experience EcoPrograms must have also completed the Epic Experience and Global Experience themselves.
Mentors are required to participate in an ITE activity a minimum of once per month.
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How do I become a Mentor?
The ITE mentor program has 2 levels: Junior Mentor and Senior Mentor. All mentors begin as a Junior Mentor and are apprenticed to a Senior Mentor for at least one year. After one year junior mentors are eligible to move into Senior Mentorship.
Junior Mentor EcoProgram cost $250.00 per year~ age minimum: 14 years of age
- All junior mentors are teamed with a Senior Mentor. Junior mentors work closely with senior mentors in the field as they assist ITE EcoProgram activities.
- Junior Mentor Program costs covers special mentor training and fees associated with most EcoProgram events including hiking, backpacking and rock-climbing. All mentors receive 20% off of EcoSkills activities.
- Junior Mentor must serve a minimum of 1 year at which time they will be evaluated by Senior Mentors through a transparent rubric evaluation process.
- Additional fees may apply for special training and activities such as Wilderness First Aid or kayaking.
Senior Mentor EcoProgram $175.00 per year ~ age minimum: 15 years of age
- Senior mentors provide an essential service for all ITE EcoPrograms in the field, behind the scenes and in public.
- Senior Mentors agree to partner with one or more Junior Mentors. Senior Mentors also act as a teen reference of incoming ITE kids and parents. Mentorship may continue through age 18 after which mentors may choose to become a volunteer or intern with ITE in various capacities of their choosing
- Continuing Mentor Program costs covers special mentor training and costs associated with all EcoProgram events including hiking, backpacking and rock-climbing. All mentors receive 20% off of EcoSkills activities.
- Additional fees may apply for special training such as Wilderness first aid or kayaking.
ITE Senior Mentors
Matt Clark is a student at Ironwood Ridge High School. He enjoys hiking, camping, rock climbing, and other outdoor activities. He has been in the Get Experience and Expeditionary Experience EcoPrograms. Matt is now in the Mentorship EcoProgram. He is an ITE mentor because he likes to be outdoors and wants more kids to experience the outdoors like him.
Alegria Gray is a 16 year old half African-American, half Venezuelan girl that lives in Tucson, Arizona and is a fluent Spanish speaker. She attends Mountain View High School and is in the Key Club which raises money for charitable organizations such as Lizzies Loot, March of Dimes & countless others. She is also the president of the New Global Citizens Team at her school. She enjoys listening to music, being a nerd, doing well in school, hanging out with her friends and being awesome with other ITE mentors. Alegria aspires to give others a love for the peace and beauty she finds while embraced in nature.
Kyle Knight is a Freshman at Empire High School. Kyle has gone through all of the ITE EcoPrograms and he enjoys hiking and camping. Kyle also plays the saxophone, enjoys writing fiction and running. Kyle is a mentor because he wants to share the experiences that he has been so fortunate to have with the “youts”.
Wulf Steklis is a fun loving teen who loves to play games like football and soccer. He also loves camping, hiking, climbing on rocks and playing in water. Wulf Steklis goes to St. Gregory High School and is a mentor for ITE so that he can teach kids about all the hidden things in the Sonoran Desert. When he turns 17 he wants to go into the Marine Corp because he loves survival skills and extreme situations. To those who love adventure and fun, you should join ITE!
